Respiratory scare

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
The day before yesterday, I was having difficulty breathing throughout the day, but thought I was just starting to get a cold. That night, however, I ended up gasping for air so bad I was sweating from the effort of it, and my girlfriend took me to the hospital after a night of not being able to sleep. Turns out I had pneumonia, but I'd been worried it could have be something knife-making related.

I have a half-face respirator with filters that include organic vapor protection, but I think I need to upgrade for my peace of mind. (Also I need to wear my mask more! I didn't know when I first started grinding that the silica off the grinding belts itself was bad, I thought the respirator was only needed if I was grinding a material that was bad for lungs.)

So what respirators are good for all around total protection and comfortable to wear for more than a few minutes when it's hot? I'm thinking full face maybe? Positive pressure?
 
Positive pressure, refers to supplied air. I'm no knife maker, yet (but someday?), but from all I have read here supplied air aint needed. Maybe what is needed for you is a respirator that protects against particulates also. There IS a difference. A few questions come to mind. Does it fit well? What are you working on? Does your respirator have replaceble filters, and if so do they need replacing?

Guess the most important question, is does it fit well. I work in the chemical production industry, and respiratory protection is on my mind whenever I clock in. The difference between a cold and breathing something undesireable is hard to tell. If you would like, send me an MSDS, or adequate description of what you are working on so I might look up an MSDS, and I can get good info reguarding protection needed for what you are doing.

Matt
 
Matt, do they refer to the use of a 3M Breathe Easy-type PAPR system as "supplied air" where you work? We reserved the term for bottled air(pak) or fresh air delivered from outside the work area. I'm only asking out of curiosity, as I'm sure definitions vary somewhat.
 
Not sure just what
3M Breathe Easy-type PAPR
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is, what I was referring to as supplied air is either a SCBA, or we do have a hard piped system that I can "plug" in to. It is supplied breathing air, and provides and provides a "positive pressure" inside of the mask to keep bad things out of the mask.
Please don't take my comments as condescending (sp?), I work as a production operator in a chemical production plant, and respiratory protection is a concern for me whenever I am in the plant.
 
michdad said:
Not sure just what is, what I was referring to as supplied air is either a SCBA, or we do have a hard piped system that I can "plug" in to. It is supplied breathing air, and provides and provides a "positive pressure" inside of the mask to keep bad things out of the mask.
Please don't take my comments as condescending (sp?), I work as a production operator in a chemical production plant, and respiratory protection is a concern for me whenever I am in the plant.
Click to expand...

This a 3M BreatheEasy, which is also a positive pressure respirator but not supplied air. I think this is more what Blue Dragon meant. Triton makes another, but doesn't have vapor protection, just particulate.
I don't see you sharing expertise as condescending. I share your concerns for proper protection. My background is also in the chemical industry (pharma).
 
fitzo said:
This a 3M BreatheEasy, which is also a positive pressure respirator but not supplied air. I think this is more what Blue Dragon meant. Triton makes another, but doesn't have vapor protection, just particulate.
I don't see you sharing expertise as condescending. I share your concerns for proper protection. My background is also in the chemical industry (pharma).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! Is there any local places to buy these products, or direct from manufacture only?

Others, please understand. BIG difference between organics, amines, and particulates. All will hurt your lungs. Often, particulates can come along with either amines or organics. There are a number of masks/cartridges that protect. PLEASE read up, or ask questions.

Again, not an expert outside of my field, but DO have enough of a working knowledge to get answers, as obviously fitzo and others might also. God gave us one set of lungs, and a little commen sense to protect them!

SUCKS hurting myself due to lack of knowledge!
 
I just work on the usual stuff, steel, micarta, woods, whatever. My mask fits fine now, it's a the blue 3m mask with the easy-flow exhale thing? Now that I shaved my beard I can't pull air through the mask if I take the filters off and plug the holes, so it's a good fit. Looking at the site I ordered it from, I see now that I had a cartridge to block vapors, but didn't see that it needed the little things that hold additional particulate protection on top of it.

Yes, I was referring to the powered type that just had a lightweight battery pack on it. I believe it was Stacy who posted a link to it some time ago.

Thanks for the replies:)
 
Matt, there are a number of places that sell the 3M units around the 'net, but I have never seen them outside safety suppliers. I bought one from Airware America.

The "nuisance-dust" Tritons can be bought from numerous fine woodworking shops. At one time they offered a carbon filter, too, but I haven't seen those in quite awhile.

Blue Dragon, if you can get a good fit with the half face, then organic vapor cartridges with piggyback P90/P95 particle filters should protect you from most anything I can think of in normal knifemaking. The respirator should be wiped down with an alcohol wipe after each use to prevent bacterial growth and stored in a large ziploc to extend the life of the carbon cartridges.
 
I sleep with a cpap thing so I dont stop breathing at night.
I have thought of getining a longer hose and mounting the pump out of the shop. its the freshest air I breath all day.
 
Alright, I'll think I'll order the piggy-back thing then. I think I'll also try to use more files and less grinding.
 
Pneumonia can actually be caused by chemical or particulate irritation to the alveoli in your lungs. So more than peace of mind, you could be correcting what caused the pneumonia in the first place. I was recently hospitalized for something similar.
 
fludunlimited said:
I sleep with a cpap thing so I dont stop breathing at night.
I have thought of getining a longer hose and mounting the pump out of the shop. its the freshest air I breath all day.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good idea to me.
 
I stay away from the silica belts for the reason that silica stays in the lungs. Aluminum oxide is a lesser evil, and the lungs can cope better with it. However, it doesn't mean that its safe, just safer than silica. Use good ventilation in the shop while grinding along with a good dust collection system. Any way of cutting down exposure helps.
 
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